Developing Rubrics For Performance Based Assessment Through Collaborative Effort

Despite the multiple benefits of performance-based assessment, the biggest challenge is the subjectivity in scoring. Rubrics are recommended to reduce its subjectivity and make scoring more reliable. However, educators tend to shy away from utilizing performance-based assessment due to the challenges faced in designing good rubrics. Collaborative efforts have often been advocated in developing good quality rubrics especially for tertiary level, however how academics from various disciplines can work together have not been dealt sufficiently. This qualitative study was carried out to collaboratively develop oral presentation and written report assessment rubrics that can be used as a guideline for developing task specific rubrics by lecturers across disciplines of study. The first stage involved seven experienced lecturers who met regularly to develop the initial drafts. This was followed by a survey utilising open-ended questionnaire items conducted with 60 lecturers to gather their feedback on the rubrics developed in the first stage. While highlighting the comprehensiveness of the criteria included in the rubrics and its value as a useful point of reference, the respondents suggested improvements on the performance descriptors. The initial draft was further improved based on the feedback and shared at the university level digital platform

Diversity of Mosquito Species (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Residential Area and Rice Field of Kampung Rembus, Samarahan Division, Sarawak, Malaysia

The information on the distribution and occurrence of mosquito species is crucial for anticipating the prevalence of mosquito borne diseases. The surveillance data of mosquitoes for Sarawak continues up to recently. Anthropogenic activities provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes. For example, a flooded wetland rice field created an artificial aquatic habitat for mosquitoes. In Sarawak, Malaysia no data is available on the occurrence of mosquito species in wetland rice fields so far. The objective of this study was to document the diversity of mosquitoes in the rice field and residential area of Kampung Rembus, Sarawak, Malaysia during the early stages of the rice planting season. Ten plastic containers containing one litre of rainwater were placed permanently in the residential area and rice field, respectively. All mosquito larvae and pupae were collected from every plastic container once a week and identified. The water temperature, ambient temperature and relative humidity were monitored during the study. A total of four BG-Sentinel trap baited with BG-Lure were also set in the residential area and rice field. The trapped adult mosquitoes were identified and counted. Eight mosquito species from six genera were recorded in the present study namely Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex fuscocephala, Culex pseudovishnui, Coquillettidia sp., Uranotaenia maxima, Toxorhynchites indicus and Lutzia fuscanus. A total of 4,756 individuals were encountered in residential areas and 1,390 individuals from rice field. The highest number of mosquito species collected was Ae. albopictus with 4,515 individuals at the study sites. The two mosquito species with the lowest number of individuals were Cx pseudovishnui and Coquillettidia sp. with only one individual collected during a three-month study. Aedes albopictus, Cx quinquefasciatus, Cx fuscocephala and Cx pseudovishnui are recorded for the first time in the rice field of Sarawak. Aedes albopictus and Cx. quinquefasciatus showed a weak correlation with ambient temperature and relative humidity. However, both species demonstrated a strong correlation with water temperature. Our findings are the first report for the study area and for the rice field of Sarawak. There were mosquito species which are vectors of mosquito borne diseases. To prevent the spread of mosquito borne diseases among residents in Kampung Rembus, it is crucial to continuously monitor and manage mosquito breeding sites

Tensile Properties of Luffa Acutangula Reinforced Polymer Composite

In recent years, there has been a growing trend in the popularity of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPC). Numerous researchers have put forward various alternatives to synthetic fibers. Luffa is one of the many natural fibers can be integrated into NFRPCs. Luffa with its unique interconnecting branch (mat/mesh) is suitable for NFRPCs. In this study, luffa reinforced high-density polyethylene (Luffa/HDPE) composite was fabricated using compression molding machine. In the preparation of the fiber, Luffa were cylindrically cut-out and opened into sheets form. The fiber was then laminated with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) film using compression molding method. The proposed fabricated composite consisting of a fiber volume fraction (FVF) of 7%, 14%, 21%, 27% and 30%. Tensile properties of the Luffa/HDPE composite were determined. SEM was used to study the interlamination and delamination of the composite. Tensile test shows that the increase of FVF enhanced the tensile strength of Luffa/HDPE composite. Tensile strength has gradually increased from 7 % to 21 % FVF. Though, tensile strength declines after 21% FVF

Tensile Properties of Luffa Acutangula Reinforced Polymer Composite

In recent years, there has been a growing trend in the popularity of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPC). Numerous researchers have put forward various alternatives to synthetic fibers. Luffa is one of the many natural fibers can be integrated into NFRPCs. Luffa with its unique interconnecting branch (mat/mesh) is suitable for NFRPCs. In this study, luffa reinforced high-density polyethylene (Luffa/HDPE) composite was fabricated using compression molding machine. In the preparation of the fiber, Luffa were cylindrically cut-out and opened into sheets form. The fiber was then laminated with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) film using compression molding method. The proposed fabricated composite consisting of a fiber volume fraction (FVF) of 7%, 14%, 21%, 27% and 30%. Tensile properties of the Luffa/HDPE composite were determined. SEM was used to study the interlamination and delamination of the composite. Tensile test shows that the increase of FVF enhanced the tensile strength of Luffa/HDPE composite. Tensile strength has gradually increased from 7 % to 21 % FVF. Though, tensile strength declines after 21% FVF

Antifungal Properties of Elephantopus scaber L. (Asteraceae) Against Crop Pathogenic Fungi

Harmful effect of synthetic fungicides towards environment and other organisms have become important issues nowadays. Research on the plant product to be developed as an alternative for synthetic fungicides has attracted interest of many scientists. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of antimicrobial properties of Elephantopus scaber L. from the family Asteraceae against six crop pathogenic fungi viz., Glomerella cingulata (Stoneman) Spauld. & H. Schrenk, Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl., Pyricularia oryzae Cavara, Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc., Pestalotiopsis sp., and Colletotrichum sp. Three different concentrations of E. scaber crude extract- 1%, 5% and 15%, were used in fungal growth inhibition test. At 15% (w/v) concentration, the mycelia growth of Colletotrichum sp., F. solani, and P. oryzae were significantly retarded. It indicates that the extract of E. scaber could potentially be used as a biofungicide

Variations and Hybridization Compatibility of Single Basidiospore Isolates of Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Sings

Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Sings, a mushroom of the family Pleurotaceae, is gaining popularity due to its high nutrient content and capability of growing on various agricultural wastes. There is a need to breed new strain of P. sajor-caju to meet the rising demands of the increasing human population. Strain improvement is achievable through selection and hybridization. Unfortunately, there is limited information regarding the genetic variations of P. sajor caju in Malaysia. Therefore, this study is of interest to document the morphological variations of single basidiospore isolates and to generate hybrids. A total of 200 single basidiospore isolates (SB) obtained from a commercialized strain of P. sajor-caju were obtained from local supermarket in Kuching, Sarawak, and cultured individually on potato dextrose agar. These 200 SBs were characterized morphologically and divided into three main groups based on colony morphology i.e. scattered, rough and smooth. Variations can still be observed in each main group. From each main group, SBs representing the variations were further categorized based on their colony diameter growth after 7 days of post inoculation (CD-7dpi), i.e. slow growing CD-7dpi (SGCD-7), medium fast growing CD-7dpi (MFGCD-7) and fast growing CD-7dpi (FGCD-7). Ten FGCD-7 and ten SGCD-7 isolates were selected for hybridization. The selected SBs were hybridized in all possible pairings without repetition. Sixteen hybridized isolates were recognized and characterized based on CD-7dpi. For all FGCD-7 pairings, SGCD-7 pairings, and between FGCD-7 and SGCD-7 pairings, hybridized isolates had higher CD-7dpi than at least one of its parents were identified. The new hybridized isolates are interesting materials for future study

Tensile Properties of Luffa Acutangula Reinforced Polymer Composite

In recent years, there has been a growing trend in the popularity of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPC). Numerous researchers have put forward various alternatives to synthetic fibers. Luffa is one of the many natural fibers can be integrated into NFRPCs. Luffa with its unique interconnecting branch (mat/mesh) is suitable for NFRPCs. In this study, luffa reinforced high-density polyethylene (Luffa/HDPE) composite was fabricated using compression molding machine. In the preparation of the fiber, Luffa were cylindrically cut-out and opened into sheets form. The fiber was then laminated with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) film using compression molding method. The proposed fabricated composite consisting of a fiber volume fraction (FVF) of 7%, 14%, 21%, 27% and 30%. Tensile properties of the Luffa/HDPE composite were determined. SEM was used to study the interlamination and delamination of the composite. Tensile test shows that the increase of FVF enhanced the tensile strength of Luffa/HDPE composite. Tensile strength has gradually increased from 7 % to 21 % FVF. Though, tensile strength declines after 21% FVF

Editorial: Omics-driven crop improvement for stress tolerance, Volume II

Crops are vulnerable to biotic and abiotic stresses that lead to reduced yields. Biotic stresses, such as fungi and pests, cause crops to rot and develop diseases. In contrast, abiotic stresses—such as high temperatures, salinity and mineral toxicity, and water shortages—irreversibly affect crops at different developmental stages, such as flowering, grain filling, and maturation through signal transduction, gene expression, and protein modifications. An increase of 1°C in the global average temperature is projected to significantly reduce crop yields. Excessive soil salinity tends to inhibit plant growth, hinder photosynthesis, and require metabolic adjustments. However, some crop types and species can tolerate modest levels of salinity without affecting their growth and yield. Drought is one of the most damaging abiotic stresses affecting severely the productivity of cereal crops. Rice struggles to survive in water-deficient fields, while maize is highly susceptible to drought. Therefore, improving crop stress tolerance is crucial for yield stability and healthy growth

Editorial : Omics-driven crop improvement for stress tolerance.

Crop losses due to biotic and abiotic stresses are significant worldwide issues. According to a report of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), an estimated 20-40% of global crop production is lost every year due to pests and diseases alone, while other environmental factors, like drought, floods, high salinity level in soil, and extreme temperatures contribute to the losses becoming even more severe. Crop yield stability and healthy growth under biotic and abiotic stresses have always been a major challenge for the plant/agricultural researchers. Crop resilience is an important trait, and it involves essential phenotypes that plant breeding researchers are concerned with. For instance, fusarium-head-blight resistance is highly desirable for breeding new wheat varieties nowadays. Therefore, improving stress tolerance becomes a major research direction in modern crop science